Galatians
The apostle Paul writes to the churches of Galatia, expressing his concern that they have quickly turned away from the true gospel and are instead seeking to follow the law. He emphasizes that justification comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not through the works of the law, and that the law brings a curse to those who do not follow it perfectly. Paul recounts his own conversion and his meeting with the apostles in Jerusalem, where he was given the right hand of fellowship and acknowledged as a missionary to the Gentiles. He rebukes the Galatians for turning away from the truth and instead seeking to follow the law, and reminds them that through faith in Christ, all believers are equal and are heirs to the promise made to Abraham. Paul urges the Galatians to walk by the Spirit and not to provoke or envy one another, and to carry one another's burdens and fulfill the law of Christ. He concludes by emphasizing that those who sow to the flesh will reap corruption, but those who sow to the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Chapter 1
Paul introduces himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ, not appointed by men, and greets the churches of Galatia, expressing his amazement that they have quickly turned away from the true gospel. He warns them that anyone, including himself or an angel, who preaches a different gospel should be condemned. Paul explains that his gospel is not from men, but from a revelation of Jesus Christ, and recounts his former life as a zealous persecutor of the church before his conversion. After his conversion, Paul did not seek the approval of the apostles in Jerusalem, but instead went to Arabia and later met with Peter and James in Jerusalem.
Chapter 2
The apostle Paul went to Jerusalem with Barnabas and Titus to discuss the gospel he was preaching to the Gentiles, and he refused to circumcise Titus despite pressure from false brothers. Paul and Barnabas were given the right hand of fellowship by James, Cephas, and John, acknowledging Paul's mission to the Gentiles. However, when Cephas arrived in Antioch, he began to separate himself from the Gentiles, fearing those who were of the circumcision, and Paul publicly rebuked him for this hypocrisy. Paul emphasized that justification comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not through the works of the law.
Chapter 3
The Galatians are rebuked for turning away from the truth of faith in Jesus Christ and instead seeking to follow the law. The Spirit is received through faith, not works of the law, and those who are of faith are considered sons of Abraham. The law brings a curse to those who do not follow it perfectly, but Christ has redeemed believers from this curse. The law was given to point out transgressions until the coming of Christ, and now that faith has arrived, believers are no longer under the law but are justified by faith. Through faith in Christ, all believers are equal and are heirs to the promise made to Abraham.
Chapter 4
The heir to an estate, though owning everything, is no different from a servant while still a child, under the care of tutors and caretakers until the time predetermined by the father. Similarly, believers were once under the influences of the world, but with the coming of Christ, they have been redeemed and adopted as sons of God. However, some are turning back to weak and destitute influences, serving days, months, times, and years, which is a cause for concern. The apostle urges believers to be like him, imitators of what is good, and not to be swayed by those who would exclude them. He uses the allegory of Abraham's two sons, one born of a servant woman and the other of a free woman, to illustrate the difference between the old and new covenants, and reminds believers that they are sons of the promise, born of the free woman, and therefore heirs of the freedom that Christ has given them.
Chapter 5
Paul warns the Galatians against returning to the yoke of servitude and reminds them that if they seek to be justified by the law, they will fall from grace. He emphasizes that faith working through charity is what truly matters, not circumcision or uncircumcision. Paul lists the works of the flesh, including fornication, lust, and envy, and contrasts them with the fruit of the Spirit, which includes charity, joy, and peace. He exhorts the Galatians to walk by the Spirit and not to provoke or envy one another.
Chapter 6
Those who are spiritual should gently correct those who have been overtaken by an offense, remembering that they themselves may also be tempted. Believers should carry one another's burdens and fulfill the law of Christ, but ultimately each person will be responsible for their own actions. Those who sow to the flesh will reap corruption, but those who sow to the Spirit will reap eternal life. Believers should do good works towards everyone, especially those in the household of faith.
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